Large gatherings in Silicon Valley banned for three weeks due to coronavirus

Health officials in Santa Clara County, Calif., banned all large gatherings in the heart of Silicon Valley for three weeks after reporting the first death of a patient infected with the novel coronavirus. 

Gatherings of more than 1,000 people in the county were ordered canceled, beginning on Wednesday.

Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said the ban is “designed to slow the spread of the disease.” 

“Today’s order and new recommendations will reduce the number of people who develop severe illness and will help prevent our healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed,” she said in a statement. “This is critically important for anyone with healthcare needs, not just those most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19.” 

The update came after the county announced its first death from a person infected with the virus. The woman, in her 60s , had been hospitalized for several weeks, county health officials said on Monday. 

The woman was the third confirmed coronavirus case in the county. She was also the first person diagnosed with the virus in the county who had  no known history of international travel or contact with another infected person. 

Six more cases of the virus were confirmed in Santa Clara County on Monday, bringing its total to 43.